The brake pads are a critical part of your BMW vehicle's disc brake system, along with your brake calipers and brake rotors. The brake pads are attached to the brake calipers, where they're used to clamp onto the rotors. They produce the friction that slows your wheels, while also protecting against the damage that can arise from the metal-on-metal contact of calipers directly touching rotors.

Types of Brake Pads

There are four. Cars and SAVs such as those manufactured by BMW usually feature organic brake pads. They're affordable, reliable, and easiest on your rotors. Trucks usually come with either metallic or ceramic brake pads. Finally, there are carbon fiber brake pads. These are usually found on sports cars or high-performance models, due to their hardy, temperature-resistant nature.

How to Recognize Brake Pad Issues

Brake pads don't last forever, though. Signs of failure include:

Whining noises from your brakes
Vibrating brakes
You spot excessive pad wear
Taking longer to slow down or stop
You hear grinding noises when you brake

Genuine BMW Brake Pads Keep You Safe

That last symptom indicates that your rotors have warped, which means the pads aren't making consistent, constant contact. That's not safe. When you need a new set of brake pads, make sure that you choose the best ones for your vehicle. That means buying genuine BMW brake pads, since those are the only ones that are guaranteed to be compatible with your model. Our online auto parts counter has a great selection in stock and ready to ship, so buy now and save!